Back in the day, I (Peter) used to run an old wordpress blog called "ofthedevoted" where I mused on various subjects. Most notably? Songwriting. It became a catchall for many of the songs I'd been working on at the time—a place where I could share the background about a song, include the lyrics, even a chord chart and a rough voice memo-type recording for anyone to check out, use in their own churches, and the like, that I'd label listen (audio) and learn (chords).
That blog is gone, but I still love the heart behind it. Given the positive reviews and interest others have expressed recently in some of the songs on our latest Rivers to Eden album, I thought this would be a good spot to share the lyrics and chords for any hoping to incorporate them into their services, concerts, and the like. If you do end up using any of these songs in any way, please let us know in a comment or via the contact page. It would mean so much to hear!
Rivers to Eden has seven tracks that trace the theme of wilderness to flourishing throughout Scripture. I'll share the lyrics below along with a youtube link (though you can stream them anywhere you stream music, OR pick up a CD for yourself or someone you know who has a 2015 or older vehicle with a CD player still inside it). But first, here's the entire Rivers to Eden songbook containing all chord charts, CCLI numbers, etc.
1) East of Eden
Verse 1
East of Eden, far from all we’ve known
In desert places, searching for a home
Barren wasteland, thorn and thistle grow
Troubled labor, cursed and fruitless toil
Verse 2
East of Eden, parched and left for dead
Death come quickly, there is nothing left
Then I hear it, a rustling in the breeze
Like mighty waters gently calling me
Verse 3
East of Eden, still I see Your hand
Through every evil, bringing good instead
Journey onward, holding onto hope
That from a Seed another garden grows
Tag
You are Lord, You are near, and You give
Help me live east of Eden
(2x)
2) Consider Me
Verse 1
How long, O Lord, shall I complain
Like one who seeks God in vain?
Why must You hide Your face?
O Lord, how long?
Prechorus 1
My foes surround
My fears confound
My tears, they drown me
Chorus
Consider me and answer me, O Lord my God
Lest I sleep the sleep of death and my life fade
O Father, hear my spirit's plea to answer me
Before my dying breath! Do not delay!
Verse 2
How long, O Lord, in my distress
Like one who seeks God for rest?
Why now this wilderness?
O Lord, how long?
Prechorus
My foes surround
My fears confound
My tears, they drown me
Chorus 2
Consider me and answer me, O Lord my God
Lest I sleep the sleep of death and my life fade
O Father, hear my spirit's plea to answer me
Before my dying breath! Do not delay
Bridge
To light up my eyes, light up my eyes
Light up my eyes, light up my eyes
Prechorus 2
Your mercy sounds
Your grace abounds
Your love surrounds to me
Chorus
Consider me and answer me, O Lord my God
Lest I sleep the sleep of death and my life fade
Father, hear my spirit's plea to answer me
Before my dying breath! Do not delay!
Verse 3
How long, O Lord, till night is day
And songs of grief turn to praise?
When will I see Your face?
O Lord, how long?
3) Fear Not
Verse 1
You led me into the wilderness
A pillar of cloud by day
A pillar of fire by night
And You didn’t leave me behind
But said:
Chorus
“Fear not, stand firm
See the Lord’s salvation
Fear not, stand firm
The Lord will fight for you
The Lord will fight for you”
Verse 2
I find that I’m not alone in this
Waters of death ahead
Chariot and spear behind
Surely this will be my demise
But You said:
Chorus
“Fear not, stand firm
See the Lord’s salvation
Fear not, stand firm
The Lord will fight for you
The Lord will fight for you
The Lord will fight for you
The Lord will fight for you”
Bridge
You split the waters and I walked upon dry land (2x)
Out of the waters You bring me to life again (2x)
Chorus
4) Doors of Hope
Verse 1
I’ve lived a life of regret
Made choices I wish I’d forget
With promises they’ve drawn me in
Now I’m serving them again
Prechorus
These idols hold no life for me anymore
So I’m calling for the One who loves me more
Chorus
You make miles of sand become green again
You make shelter from the battering winds
You make songs take flight from weary souls
You make doors of hope
Verse 2
I lived a life of such grief
Felt sorrow come crashing ‘round me
No answer to my heart’s deep cry
Alone in misery
Prechorus
These idols hold no life for me anymore
So I’m calling for the One who loves me more
Chorus
You make miles of sand become green again
You make shelter from the battering winds
You make songs take flight from weary souls
You make doors of hope
Tag
You make a way in the wilderness (3x)
Come make a way, come make a way
Come make a way in my wilderness (3x)
Come make a way, You are the way
Come make a way, You are the way
5) Rivers to Eden
Verse 1
I see that you’re dying, surrounded by thorns
This fight for living, leaving you so worn
The soil where you’re planted leaves no room for life
You’re holding back the darkness with all your might
Chorus
I see you, sweet daughter of Mine
And I hear your cries in the night
I know…. you’re not lost in this fight
Verse 2
The pressure is building, deep underground
Like weeds, now choking all the life you’ve found
But the burdens you carry like stones around your heart
Are bringing out the diamonds I saw from the start
Chorus
I see you, sweet daughter of Mine
And I hear your cries in the night
I know…. you’re not lost in this fight
Bridge
I see your tears, I save every one
They will become rivers to Eden (2x)
Chorus
I see you, sweet daughter of Mine
And I hear your cries in the night
I know…. you’re not lost in this fight
I know…. you’re not lost in this fight
6) Master Gardener
Verse 1
I searched for my Lord among the dead
And met the Master Gardener instead
He spoke my name, and then I saw
The promised One who began it all
Verse 2
Fashioned here in flesh and bone
By whom the universe was sown
Like scattered seed the Word once fell
But rose again, uprooting hell
Chorus 1
Why go search for life among the dead?
He is making all things new again
Verse 3
The long reign of death comes to an end
As thorns give way to life again
The swords we bore now bear good fruit
As trees of life are taking root
Chorus 2
Why go search for life among the dead?
He is making all things new again
End the search for life among the dead
He is making all things new again
Tag
You are making new things new (repeat)
7) Come Lord Jesus Come
Verse 1
Blessed are those who wash their robes
In the blood of Lamb
Who walk in love and holiness
Until Christ comes again
Verse 2
Blessed are those who yearn within
This wilderness to be free
Who hear the call to enter in
Who answer, sit, and eat
Chorus
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come quickly, come quickly, come!
Verse 3
Blessed are those who hear the Lord
And do His every will
As trees of life by waters deep
Whose limbs stretch out to heal
Chorus
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come quickly, come quickly, come!
Verse 4
Blessed are those who hunger still
For justice to be known
Raise your eyes and lift your hands above
For Heav’n is coming down
Bridge
Hallelujah, worthy is the Lamb (3x)
Hallelujah, amen
Chorus
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come, Lord Jesus, come
Come quickly, come quickly, come!
Well, those are the songs!
Let us know which one is your favorite to play!
